Ability Network provides services and supports for infants and toddlers (ages birth to three years old) with developmental delays who meet the eligibility criteria for Missouri's First Steps system. Services are provided in the child's natural environments. All services are family-centered and are tailored to meet the unique developmental needs of the child and the related needs of the family. Services are at no cost to families if the child meets the eligibility criteria of First Steps.

     The staff will work toward developing strategies on skills that the family feels is important to the child's development. All skills will be incorporated into natural and functional learning opportunities. The following includes services and supports that may be available through Ability Network in your geographical area:

Developmental Evaluation & Assessment

     In order to determine the child's strengths and unique developmental needs, a certified teacher or licensed therapist will meet with the family and child to gather information. This will provide the team with information to help determine eligibility or help determine relevant child-family outcomes. Information gathered will include the following five developmental areas: cognitive (thinking skills), language, motor, social-emotional, and adaptive/self-help development.

Special Instruction

     Ability Network staff will work on outcomes that are determined by the family and other team members. These outcomes are based on the priorities of the family and the child's unique developmental needs. Staff will work with family members to share in the learning and will show them how to use these strategies with their child throughout the course of family's daily routine.

Therapies

     Ability Network has licensed professionals in speech, occupational and physical therapies located in rural areas throughout Missouri. Necessary therapies are identified in the child's Individual Family Service Plan according to the family outcomes and priorities. Ability Network Therapists incorporate interventions into natural daily activities to encourage and assist family members in participating in their child's program.

     Speech Therapy services are provided by Licensed Speech/Language Pathologists who will identify and work with the family to help develop the child's communication skills and other related skills, such as swallowing (as identified in the outcome statements and family priorities).

     Occupational Therapy services are provided by Licensed Occupational Therapists who will work with the family to help the child develop fine motor skills, such as grasping, dressing, eating; adaptive behavior and play; and sensory-motor development (as determined in the outcome statements and family priorities).

     Physical Therapy services are provided by Licensed Physical Therapists who will work with the family to help the child develop gross motor skills such as rolling, sitting, standing, walking and running (as determined in the outcome statements and family priorities).

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